The league was created in 2003 on the premise that local teams should have local players. The existing senior league at the time, the Hanover-Tache Hockey League, included a large number of imported players. The CSHL's first season was as an outlaw league, without accreditation from Hockey Manitoba. Three teams competed that season, the Mitchell Mohawks, Ste. Anne Aces, and Landmark Dutchmen. Mitchell won the championship.